Eye candy. Everywhere. And for a designer that means that any other season is merely a distant second. Couple the visual feast with the magic I get to live through my children’s eyes and, well, my soul and heart are full.

Less tangible, though equally pleasing, are the scents of pine, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves which together conjure up Christmas. Still, what I love the most is how it empowers us by giving us a sense of gratitude for what we have and those who make up much of life's bounty. 

I have in mind one of those very people. Supportive, kind, clever, and insanely funny, she has also mastered the art of selecting the perfect gift. Hers are never about the brand or money spent. They aren’t about the presentation (though I do love a gorgeously wrapped gift). More importantly a present from her would never make sense if gifted to anyone else. No. Hers are all about perpetuating the fun memories you have shared. This year, for example, acquiring a license to ride my Vespa was a key event which enabled me to zip around town and score a prime parking spot, which in my city is like beating a blockbuster's villain. My husband and I scoot to dinner, oftentimes with our favorite bottle of wine in tow (Sancerre, Amarone or Viognier). She herself braved the back seat while visiting San Francisco to her husband's complete and utter disbelief. A part of the story already, she decided to leave her mark with her color-coordinated, wine-lover's gift!

She also gifted our husbands a set of these cleverly designed glasses by Bodum because we have shared many a laugh over the fact that our guys seem to be allergic to coasters. I usually favor aesthetics over functionality but these guys covered all their bases. Cheers!

So next time you are in a crunch, tune into the "Rhonda channel" to see what turns up because when it comes to the thought behind the gift, more is definitely more!

Funny how life unravels...

If you have been reading earlier posts you may recall that I launched my jewelry business in early spring while Bernardo enjoyed a mini-sabbatical. Those honeymoon months during which we became ever closer while travelling, riding horses and nurturing our children in our bustling abode, are ones I am grateful to have locked away in my memory box. Much to my contentment, Bernardo embraced my vision to turn a longtime hobby into a career, and to that end he spearheaded Design by Alina's internet presence. As I became more entrenched in my creative world, Bernardo became less enthusiastic about extending his sabbatical and more so about his weekly jaunts up north in search of his own new venture. 

Cut to a few weeks ahead, and my prodigious webmaster/groom announced that he was accepting a fantastic business opportunity in San Francisco. With near simultaneous precision I was approached by Peachy the Magazine about being featured in their upcoming Santa Barbara issue. 

As you can imagine, I felt conflicted about highlighting the wonders of Casa Ventalia when we were trying to sell "her". Three years prior we had spent 10 months living in a cloud of dust, ram board and workmen, while we labored tirelessly in an attempt to restore the house to its original splendor . Yet as difficult as it was to imagine walking away from her, I knew that I wanted my husband home for family dinners which would not have been possible had I taken him up on his offer to commute.  And so we began to accept the idea of allowing Casa Ventalia to embrace the next family as we began a new chapter in San Francisco.

Not only have Blair Farris and Cathy Austin, respectively Editor in Chief of Peachy the Magazine and writer of the article "La Dolce Vita" granted us an enormous gift in the eighteen pages they dedicated to our home and family in the publication, but they have also brilliantly captured the essence of every corner of that enchanting abode. Their endeavor has allowed me to feel at peace, excited even, about acquiescing to the end of our Santa Barbara chapter in anticipation of new beginnings in San Francisco.

In San Francisco for merely a week, we are quickly discovering that change is great! This city is at once romantic and electrifying...stay tuned for some exciting news about the direction of Designs by Alina in the city!.